Anybody got the 5D yet (Minolta)?

[edawn]

Just looking for impressions/reviews of the Minolta 5D. Can anybody share personal experiences or point me to some reviews?

Thanks!

Elaine

[Keith C]

There have not been any major reviews so far but there has been quite a good user review on www.dpreview.com
The main differences between the D5 & 7D is cost,weight & complexity of control. All the main features of the 7D are still there but more are menu based rather than in direct controls by external knobs & buttons. Having said that the major controls are still directly accessible.
Some buttons are multi function in conjunction with the control wheel so ISO can be changed by opening the main menu sensitivity screen using the top left button on the back then pressing the ISO button on the camera top & turning the control wheel. Its* actually easier to perform than describe !! IN addition to selecting Auto ISO & 100 to 3200 there are two special settings Lo-80 ^ Hi 200 which apply curve corrections for low & hi key subjects. These excellent settings compensate for the incorrect exposure that would otherwise occur without them & this special KM feature is greatly under-publicised.
The D5 handles well &is well constructed. The Kit lens goes from 27-105mm(35mm equivalent) Distortion & colour control are handled well although absolute sharpness will be improved by USM or other sharpening in post-processing.

The main feature is ,of course Anti-Shake & this is staggering. The danger is that because* of it you will find yourself readily taking reasonable pics at 1/8 th sec which ,when opening, may look slightly burred but even then with care such exposure can be OK.AS come into its own when using Tele lenses where blur is often encountered by all but the most rock-steady photographers.

Jpegs are good but I avoid full Auto settings in very bright sun as they tend to over-expose. The P mode which is semi auto seems much better. In addition there are 'scene' modes - landscape.sport & night portrait etc. which automatically tweak settings for special types of scene. This feature is not on the 7D & makes the D5 easier to use.
The 2.5 inch LCD is of smaller resolution on the D5 compared to the 7D but is still colourful & clear especially when magnified.The higher magnified window can be scrolled around to examine any part of the image. The screen is more difficult to see in very bright sun but if shielded by hand can still be assessed. Belkin are about to produce a hooded LCD protector which may solve this problem which besets many DSLRs.

You need to handle this camera to fully appreciate it & remember all your lenses from extreme wide to long telephoto will be image stabilised !!

[edawn]

Thanks, Keith, for the great reply! I'm quite eager to see and hold this camera in person. I'll also be looking for those reviews. Share some pics when you get a chance!

Elaine